Marion Shelton was born in Middle Tennessee January 16, 1834, a son of James and Jane (Hudson) Shelton, who were the parents of seven children. The father died when Marion was but one year old. After reaching manhood he moved to Mississippi, and when the war broke out he joined Company K, 1st Mississippi Infantry, taking part in the battle of Fort Donelson, where his entire regiment was captured. He was taken prisoner to Camp Morton, Indiana, and there confined for seven months. After being exchanged he rejoined his command before Vicksburg, Miss. On the reorganization of his company he was elected first lieutenant, and his regiment was ordered to Port Hudson, La. In that battle he was again captured and taken to Johnson's Island and held a prisoner until the close of the war.

Returning to Mississippi, Marion Shelton farmed until 1869, when he went to Texas. He bought land from time to time until he had a good fortune in some twelve or fifteen hundred acres of Lamar County's very best land. He was a man of energy, straight and honorable in all his dealings. He was a friend to all in distress; to his old Confederate friends his house was open at all times of need. He was faithful to every trust reposed in him and a man whose life is worthy of emulation in many ways.

Marion Shelton died on January 29, 1916, near the place where he settled when he went to Texas. He left one son, five daughters, and numberless friends to mourn their loss. A ripe and beautiful life was his of eighty-two years.